Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1874 — Hans Christian Andersen. [ARTICLE]

Hans Christian Andersen.

A correspondent of the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin has been visiting Hans Christian Andersen at a suburb of Copenhagen, and writes of a dinner given by some friends with whom he was staying, as follows: “ Instead of simply meeting the Melchior family and their distinguished guests, as we expected, we found quite a party of their friends on our arrival, among whom was the poet, Carl Andersen, and two other Danish poets. H. C. Andersen came forward and greeted us in his friendly, earnest manner, as though he were really pleased to see us; he wore a red and white ribbon around his neck, to which was suspended a Danish order. Though we were surrounded by strange faces we soon felt at Rome in this pleasant, social gathering. On being seated at the dinner-table I observed a pretty bouquet at each plate, and was informed by our host, at whose right I sat, that Mr. Andersen made them all; that he was in the habit of arranging the flowers for their table, and my attention was called to the unique and tasteful manner in which the bouquets weremade; no two were alike, so peculiar was their arrangement. “ Several toasts were offered, and soon after our host remarked to me that Andersen looked as though he had something to say. The latter arose and offered a toast in Danish, to which my husband responded in appropriate terms. It was afterward suggested that the author furnish me with a copy of his toast, and, as he was kind enough to do so, I will let his American friends have the benefit of it. In English it is as follows : ‘ England was once our far-off neighbor land, but Time’s wisdom brings all nearer to each other; now America has come nearer to us than England was formerly. A Northern people had known and visited the New World eyeo before Columbus had known it. Now it is very near us; we see it with its great life-pulsa-tions. We know the splendor of its colors from Washington Irving’s “ Columbus,” its forests and prairies from Cooper’s picturesque tales, and perceive its relationship to the North (ScandinaVia) from Longfellow’s “Hiawatha.” Tome the mighty land has become still dearer on account of the tokens of affection received from so many young hearts. America’s children have broken their savings-boxes to divide their treasures with their old Danish poet, whom they believed to be in want. This to me is a page of a fairy tale in the story of my life.' 1 therefore propose a toast to this dear, mighty land; the more so since one of its representatives is present with his noble wife—a near relation of the able President of the United States. We hope they will convey our hearty greetings.’ “On adjourning to the parlor the pleasant Danish custom of hand-shaking was observed, beginning with the host and hostess, each one on offering the hand saying: ‘Well be kommen’ (May it become you well). This is equivalent to the German salutation after dinner of ‘ Blessings on your meal.’ Taking up a curiously-cut paper, pasted upon a blue background, that lay upon the centertable, I was informed that Andersen cut it. I proceeded to study its novel and intricate designs, which at first glance gave it a slight resemblance to a piece of honiton lace. This carious paper putting is now before me, for our hostess kindly presented it to me, and Mi). Andersen wrote his name and mine upon it. There are represented on it grotesquelooking faces, clowns, fairies, dancinggirls, gymnasts, pugilists, soldiers, storks, swans, treds, windmills, and the Danish flag.

“ Mr. Anderson, on leaving the dinnertable, came smilingly toward me and presented me with two bouquets that he had made, at the same time remarking: ‘ Give —hot my compliments to America, but my feelings,’ and his hand approached his heart, when a young lady suggested, ‘ your love.’ ‘ Yes,’ he addea, * give my love to America.’ So I take this opportunity of presenting to the American public the love of Hans Christian Andersen.” Apple Jelly.—A nice,’ wholesome and palatable and economical jelly may be made in the following manner: Cut or chop up a quantity of good apples,. parings, cores and all, if free from defects, and boil thoroughly in water sufficient to cover them. When soft, press through a coarse cloth, allowing most of the pulp to pass, and let this stand till cool. Pour off the clear liquid, add a small quantity of tapioca (dissolved in cold Water ana slightly cooked), thin with sufficient white sugar and then boil away sufficient to make a jelly of the right consistence, and you have as nice a preserve as an epicure desires, clear and beautiful. The bottom, or the pulp of the first, cooked with some nice molasses, makes a very fine apple butter, both of which will keep a long time. —A hotel out West says, generously, of a competing establishment, that it stands without arrival.